Friday, 29 October 2010

Mano Menezes announced the latest Brazil squad this afternoon, ahead of the friendly (if that's the right word...) against Argentina on November 17th. The headline news is the inclusion of Ronaldinho Gaúcho, who hasn't pulled on a seleção jersey since March 2009. The Milan playmaker has been rewarded for his improved club form (at the end of last season, if not the beginning of the current campaign), despite not exactly fitting the youthful profile which has thus far characterised Menezes' Brazil. There was also a recall for Santos starlet Neymar, who was left out of the last squad for disciplinary reasons.

There is a first call-up for Grêmio's enigmatic playmaker Douglas, who at 28 may have thought his chances of an international career had passed. His selection demonstrates once more that Menezes is willing to reward those players who perform to a consistently high standard in the Brasileirão. Douglas, like Lucas and Elias, has also worked with Menezes at club level. All three goal-keepers are based domestically, as is Jucilei, who returns to the squad after missing out against Iran and the Ukraine.

Carlos Éduardo's subdued performances in those two friendlies have cost him his place, and youngsters Giuliano and Wesley must also wait for further chances. Up front, André retains his record of having made every post-World Cup seleção, despite strong competition from the likes of Nilmar and Hulk, both of whom have been in impressive form for their clubs. Another surprising omission is Hernanes, the former São Paulo midfielder who has enjoyed a fine start in Italy with Lazio. Hernanes is seen by many as the ideal candidate to provide the ammunition for Brazil's nippy forwards, particularly in the continued absence of the injured Paulo Henrique Ganso. Mano Menezes, however, evidently begs to differ, and has instead reinstated one of the country's most iconic sporting figures. Few in Brazil would complain if Ronaldinho inspired the seleção to victory over their biggest rivals.